Skip to Content Skip to Navigation
Learn about color stone engagement rings
Diamonds aren't for everyone; fashion-forward women who want to make a personal statement might veer off the usual engagement ring path, and a non-traditional color gemstone engagement ring may be just the thing. However, there is a massive number of choices when considering a color gemstone ring.


Color on the ring finger of the left hand can grab attention with a unique and unexpected look. It can be flashy or subtle, depending on the color and the setting (not to mention the size) and whether it's flanked by diamonds or other gemstones.

Common Color Gemstone Options:

When we think about color gemstones, sapphires, rubies and emeralds come to mind first. Consider going beyond the typical "Big Three" with any of these beautiful gemstone choices:

Pink: Morganite, tourmaline, pink sapphire, cultured pearls, opals
Blue: Tanzanite, topaz, aquamarine, sapphire
White: Cultured pearls, opals, white sapphire
Yellow: Citrine, topaz, yellow diamonds
Purple: Amethyst, alexandrite
Green: Peridot, jade, emerald
Red: Garnet, spinel, ruby
SHOP COLOR GEMSTONE RINGS

Value

The Big Three tend to be expensive, especially in their natural form. Generally, the more vivid the color, the more expensive the stone. One way to get a larger natural stone is to look beyond these three. Lab-created stones can give you more color with a little less cost as well.

Durability / Use

It's typical for some gemstones to undergo some kind of "enhancement" process - often intense heating. These treatments make it possible for most people to own beautiful color gemstones. But your jeweler is legally obligated to tell you about any known treatments.

Treatments

Stones like diamonds are very durable and hard, while stones like cultured pearls and opals are soft and fragile. Generally, harder stones work better in rings and bracelets. Softer, more delicate stones are safer in necklaces, earrings, and special occasion jewelry when the chance of damage is reduced.

Lab-Created Color Gemstones

Lab-created gems are identical to those formed underground and mined. They're "grown" in a lab under the same conditions of heat and pressure as a gem that forms underground, yet have the advantage of having the ultimate color and clarity. Again, it's a great way to get a beautiful color gemstone at an affordable cost, but your jeweler needs to disclose that the gemstone is synthetic.